Ending the Taxi Monopoly at Baliís Airport

Members of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) are urging the provincial government to provide public transport to Bali’s airport by extending the service network for the Trans Sarbagita Bus System.

Quoted by the State News Agency Antara, Made Budastra, a member of Commission III DPRD-Bali, said: “The provincial government must coordinate with PT Angkasa Pura I Ngurah Rai (the management authority of the airport), in order that the Trans Sarbagita Bus System can bring passenger in and out of the airport.

Budastra declared that it is the government’s responsibility to make sure public transportation, like the Trans Sarbagita Buses, can enter the airport.

“It may be the Ngurah Rai Airport is the only airport in Indonesia not served by public transport,” declared Budastra. Adding, “Arriving passengers leaving the airport are compelled to use the Ngurah Rai Taxi Service, because they have no other alternative.”

He said the current situation explains why tourists often complain that transportation from Bali’s airport is expensive. “Local citizens as well as tourists are complaining about the monopoly of taxis from the airport,” he said.

As reported previously by Balidiscovery.com, the current monopoly on taxi service from Bali’s airport is in strict violation of Indonesian anti-monopoly laws (see related articles).